IUPAC Rules
A concise revision guide to the key IUPAC naming rules used in A Level organic chemistry, including formula types, displayed formulae, skeletal formulae, carbon chain prefixes, functional group naming and numbering rules.
Key Organic Chemistry Definitions
Before naming organic compounds, you need to recognise the basic language used to describe formulae, bonding and families of compounds.
Hydrocarbon
A compound consisting of hydrogen and carbon only.
Saturated
A compound containing single carbon-carbon bonds only.
Unsaturated
A compound containing at least one C=C double bond.
Molecular formula
The formula showing the actual number of each type of atom in a molecule.
Empirical formula
The simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each element in a compound.
General formula
An algebraic formula for a homologous series, such as CnH2n for alkenes.
Structural formula
The minimal detail needed to show the arrangement of atoms in a molecule, such as CH3CH2CH2CH3.
Displayed formula
A formula showing all covalent bonds present in a molecule.
Key idea: IUPAC naming depends on identifying the carbon skeleton, the functional group and the correct numbering system.
Displayed and Skeletal Formulae
When drawing organic compounds, add hydrogen atoms so that each carbon forms four bonds. In saturated hydrocarbons, the arrangement of bonds around each carbon atom is tetrahedral, with a bond angle of approximately 109.5°.
A skeletal formula is a simplified way of representing an organic molecule. Hydrogen atoms bonded to carbon are omitted, showing only the carbon skeleton and any functional groups attached.
2-methylbutane shows a branched carbon skeleton with four bonds around each carbon.
Ethane can be represented with all C-H and C-C covalent bonds shown.
But-2-ene uses a skeletal formula, with carbon atoms at line ends and vertices.
Functional groups, such as OH in alcohols, are shown explicitly in skeletal formulae.
Exam focus: In skeletal formulae, carbon atoms and carbon-bonded hydrogen atoms are usually not written, but heteroatoms and functional groups must still be shown.
Naming Carbon Chains
The first step in IUPAC naming is to identify and count the longest continuous carbon chain. This gives the parent name of the compound.
Next, identify any branched side chains and count the number of carbon atoms in each branch. The correct prefix is then added to the parent name.
| Code | Number of carbons | Used in parent names such as |
|---|---|---|
| meth | 1 | methane |
| eth | 2 | ethane, ethene |
| prop | 3 | propane, propene |
| but | 4 | butane, but-2-ene |
| pent | 5 | pentane |
| hex | 6 | hexane |
| hept | 7 | heptane |
| oct | 8 | octane |
| non | 9 | nonane |
| dec | 10 | decane |
The longest continuous chain is counted first, then methyl branches are located using numbers.
Functional Groups and Suffix Rules
A functional group is an atom or group of atoms responsible for giving a homologous series its characteristic chemical reactions. In names, a functional group may be shown using either a prefix or a suffix.
Suffix starts with a vowel
If the suffix starts with a vowel, the final -e is removed from the parent alkane name. Examples include propan-1-ol, butan-1-amine, ethanoic acid, ethanoyl chloride and butanamide.
Suffix starts with a consonant
If the suffix starts with a consonant, the final -e is not removed from the parent alkane name. Examples include propanenitrile and pentane-2,4-dione.
Two or more of the same functional group
If there are two or more of the same functional group and di- or tri- is used, the final -e is not removed. Examples include ethane-1,2-diol and propane-1,2,3-triol.
The number 1 shows that the OH group is attached to the first carbon in the chain.
Numbering Rules and Alphabetical Order
Numbers are only included in names when they are needed to avoid ambiguity. When numbering a carbon chain, functional groups take priority over branched side chains when assigning the lowest possible number.
Words and numbers in organic names are separated using dashes. When more than one number is used, numbers are separated by commas.
If a molecule contains more than one functional group or side chain, the groups are listed in alphabetical order, ignoring multiplicative prefixes such as di- or tri-.
2,2-dichloro-1-fluorobutane shows comma-separated numbers and alphabetical ordering by functional group prefix.
Bromo is written before fluoro because prefixes are listed alphabetically.
Remember: The correct name depends on choosing the longest chain, assigning the lowest possible numbers and writing substituents in alphabetical order.
Homologous Series and Functional Group Priority
A homologous series is a family of organic compounds with the same functional group and the same general formula. Members of a homologous series show a gradual change in physical properties as chain length increases, but similar chemical properties because they contain the same functional group.
Each successive compound in a homologous series differs from the previous compound by a CH2 unit.
| Priority rule | What it means | Example exam wording |
|---|---|---|
| Highest priority group | The functional group with the highest priority is given the suffix and the lowest possible number. | Identify the principal functional group before numbering the chain. |
| Other functional groups | Other functional groups are named using prefixes. | Halogeno groups such as bromo, chloro and fluoro are written as prefixes. |
| Double and triple bonds | Alkenes and alkynes use suffixes even when another functional group is present. | Name the carbon chain and include the position of the C=C bond if required. |
Functional group priority, highest to lowest: carboxylic acids > aldehydes > ketones > alcohols > alkenes > halogenoalkanes.
Cyclohexene contains a C=C double bond in a cyclic carbon skeleton.
Cyclohexane is saturated because it contains carbon-carbon single bonds only.
Check Your Understanding
Use these short activities to check the key ideas before moving on to the individual functional group pages.
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Some ionic radii are shown.
| Ion | Ionic radius / nm |
|---|---|
| Na+ | 0.102 |
| K+ | 0.138 |
| F− | 0.133 |
| Cl− | 0.180 |
Which compound has the strongest ionic bonding?
Explain why the metallic bonding in magnesium is much stronger than that in sodium.
Copyright notice: This OLS revision content, including the explanations, layout, diagrams, tables and embedded learning structure, is authored for Online Learning System by Dr. Mohammed Al-Fatah. It may not be copied, reproduced, redistributed or adapted without written permission.